How to fix a jammed garbage disposal

Your garbage disposal may occasionally get jammed when a hard object or bone gets stuck between the impellers and the wall of the unit. As a result, your garbage disposal will start producing a humming sound as its motor strains against the foreign object. Unfortunately, the disposal will not grind up the food waste when its impeller plate is jammed. The motor may heat up, triggering the automatic shutoff feature in most modern garbage disposals to turn off the device entirely. 

On the bright side, unlike some garbage disposal problems, fixing a jammed impeller plate doesn’t need a professional plumber as you can easily do it yourself. But how exactly do you go about it? 

Relax! This guide will show you how to fix a jammed garbage disposal and get your unit back up and running in no time! 

What you will need 

• Flashlight 
• ¼” Allen wrench 
• Needle-nose pliers 
• Cold running water 

Step-by-step guide on how to fix a jammed garbage disposal 

Step 1: Disconnect the garbage disposal 

Unplug your garbage disposal from the power outlet before fixing the jam for safety reasons. And if the garbage disposal is hardwired to your home’s electrical system, meaning that it doesn’t have an outlet, make sure you turn it off at the circuit breaker in the service panel.

Step 2: Check for foreign objects in the disposal 

Use a flashlight to peer down into the garbage disposal’s sink opening. And check for any foreign objects that are stuck in the impellers. If you see an obstruction, use a pair of needle-nose pliers to lift it out of the disposal. While it may be tempting, NEVER use your hand to remove the obstructions. Instead, it’s recommended that you use long, needle-nose pliers or a set of tongs. 

Step 3: Loosen the jam 

After removing any visible obstructions in the garbage disposal, locate the hex socket on the underside of your garbage disposal. Insert a ¼” Allen wrench into this opening and move it back and forth until the impellers are free. Since the hex socket is connected directly to the impeller hub, moving the wrench back and forth loosens any remaining object that may be jamming the disposal. 

Step 4: Reset the disposal 

Most garbage disposal units have a reset button (red button) on the bottom near the hex socket. When the garbage disposal is humming but not turning, this reset button automatically trips to shut off the device and prevent the motor from overheating. 

Now that you have removed the obstructions that were jamming the disposal, reset the garbage disposal to regain its functionality. Luckily, resetting garbage disposal is relatively easy since you only need to push down the reset button and you’re good to go! 

Step 5: Restore power and test the garbage disposal 

Plug your garbage disposal back into the outlet or turn on its circuit breaker to restore power to the device. Next, run cold water at the kitchen faucet and turn on the garbage disposal to see if it’s working properly. 

If the unit is spinning freely without producing a humming sound, you have successfully fixed the jam. However, if the unit is still jammed, it will probably trip the reset button again or continue making a humming sound, without turning the impeller blades. If that’s the case, repeat the entire process a few times before deciding to buy a new garbage disposal! 

Conclusion 

Overall, fixing a jammed garbage disposal is a relatively simple process that any homeowner can do. So, if you notice your garbage disposal is humming but not working, you can go ahead and fix the problem yourself if it’s caused by an obstruction in the unit. 

However, if you’re not comfortable handling the device or the DIY method is not working, hire a professional plumber. Moreover, you can prevent your unit from jamming by knowing what not to put in a garbage disposal!